Oregon youth softball league raffles off AR-15 semi-automatic rifle

KGO

March 21, 2013 5:11:36 PM PDT

ST. HELENS, Oregon --

Raffles are a staple of fundraising efforts for youth sports teams, but one in Oregon is causing a big uproar. The St. Helens Girls Softball Association is raising money by raffling off an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle along with two 30-round magazines.

Many in the community were outraged, considering the recent rash of gun violence in the U.S.

League President Devin Degraffenreid defends it, however, saying the team needs a way to raise money for fields and uniforms.

"None of the raffle tickets were ever in any of the girls' hands," Degraffenreid said. "This was all adults, adult to adult word of mouth type deal."